IN RECENT times, West Coast and Carlton have been accused of placing their short-term interests above the high-minded ideals of the AFL — usually the Louis Armstrong of sport when it comes to blowing its own trumpet about social responsibility, but embarrassingly short-winded when it came to questioning the suitability of disgraced businessman Richard Pratt to hold the Blues' presidency.

West Coast refused to intervene despite mounting evidence that elements of its playing group were out of control. Or, given the Eagles won the 2006 premiership, until after it had achieved an objective clearly more important to the club than complying with even the most basic behavioural standards.

Carlton's embattled hierarchy begged the cardboard billionaire Pratt, and his chequebook, to return to the broke and rudderless club. The consequences of the serious price-fixing allegations levelled against Pratt at the time of his triumphant return were not considered by the club (or the AFL), nor the subsequent finding by the Federal Court that Pratt's company, Visy, had colluded in a scheme that ripped-off Australian consumers to the tune of $700 million.

It has taken the spectre of criminal charges for lying to the price-fixing investigation to force Pratt and the Blues, with the greatest reluctance, to part ways at least until he has his day in court. At a time when the AFL was still talking of releasing an official code conduct, the bar for those considered fit to run clubs was lowered to ankle height.

So, if the crime of both West Coast and Carlton was to place results ahead of greater responsibilities, what is the punishment?

For West Coast it has been the incredible capitulation of a once feared and respected team into the shell-shocked, introverted rabble that sleep-walked its way through a record 135-point home-ground loss to Geelong at Subiaco on Saturday night. It was a performance so lacking in the fierce physical pressure and discipline that has been the club's hallmark over the past two decades that it was scarcely possible to believe — even after a similarly insipid 100-point loss to Collingwood three weeks ago.

With most of the usual landmark statistics rendered meaningless by Geelong's sheer domination, one set of numbers put the shellacking into perspective — if West Coast had kicked 17.5 instead of 5.17, it still would have lost by 75 points.

The sacking of Ben Cousins, the defection of Chris Judd, a long injury list, the sudden decline of some middle-aged premiership players, and the apparent malaise created by the club's reportedly harsh, but belated, discipline regime help explain the Eagles' decline. The possibility of a top draft pick might even provide a soft landing.

But if there is any pride remaining in the club, then surely West Coast was grievously wounded on Saturday night. Not by Gary Ablett waltzing untouched through the midfield or Steve Johnson and Paul Chapman performing party tricks near goal. The new low-point in the Eagles' history came when Geelong coach Mark Thompson chomped on a sandwich during the final quarter, the so-called "House of Pain" now no more intimidating than the House of Pancakes.

It seems less likely Carlton will pay a significant price for its failure to acknowledge Pratt was unsuitable to hold the club's highest office. On the contrary, Pratt has provided the building blocks for the club's revival by hiring respected chief executive Greg Swann, aiding Judd's recruitment and, most importantly, pouring cash into the club's empty coffers.

Before yesterday's game against Essendon, acting Carlton president Stephen Kernahan praised Pratt for bringing stability to the club and said his decision to stand aside had been "a selfless act", an odd appraisal of what most considered the only course of action available.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Pratt could soon meet out-of-contract full-forward Brendan Fevola to discuss "opportunities outside the club" that could help ensure he stays at the club. If that is true, the president will leave but he will not go away.

A shock 35-point loss to the Bombers severely dented the Blues' short-term ambitions and some might believe the fall-out from the Pratt scandal had distracted the players. However, it is unlikely to diminish the momentum created by Pratt's contributions, with the controversy galvanising those Carlton fans who have known nothing but success at any price.

And, no matter how high-minded the AFL's supposed ideals, "any" is the price many more clubs than just West Coast and Carlton would pay for a flag.